Triage systems
Effective triage systems are a key contributor to improving patient care and a way of making sure staff escalate issues and care where necessary.
While we don’t provide any specific guidance on triage in healthcare settings, our professional standards rely on effective systems being in place.
If you have concerns that the triage system in your ward is compromising patient safety, act promptly.
If you have a leadership role or management responsibilities
If you are in a leadership role, you have a responsibility to ensure the safety of policies and processes that you expect staff to follow. You are responsible for establishing cultures that embed improvement and also for addressing any issues that may be putting patients at risk.
In reviewing your triage system, ensure the systems and policies that you have in place enable colleagues to provide and arrange prompt advice, investigation and treatment for patients. Systems should also facilitate patients being prioritised based on clinical need.
The CQC has drawn together examples of good practice in triage and RCOG has a Good practice paper on maternity triage, which provides recommendations for maternity triage and is particularly targeted at those with responsibility for developing and improving services.
National review of maternity services in England 2022 to 2024
‘Unsafe practice in maternity triage went on to form the basis of 81% of enforcement actions issued to providers and was recognised as a safety concern in around a third of our inspections overall. Through our Give feedback on care service, we heard that women and babies were exposed to potential harm by delays in triage. Many women told us they had experienced significant delays in triage, even when they had been told they would need an urgent medical review because they had presented with high-risk scenarios.’
